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A harsh stance towards the Brits during the impending negotiations is not the right way to go

Joachim Gauck

He continued: "Ostentatiously letting the Brits feel the consequences of their decisions wouldn't be a good way to go when looking at future generations.

"The other 27 members should now not trade as if we were the weaker, the humiliated. An aggrieved expression now wouldn’t help things."

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EU and British flags

Theresa May jetted off from her first Prime Minsiter’s Questions today to head to Berlin for the talk,s before she meets French President Francois Hollande tomorrow.

She has said she wants a “frank” discussion about Britain’s post-Brexit deal.

And as initial negotiations get under way, Mr Gauck said he could not foresee any major threats for Europe after the Brexit vote and added: “I’m optimistic that we will also master this crisis.”

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Prime Minister Theresa May is off to Berlin and Paris for Brexit talks

He said: "Europe critics and populists might be dominating the public debate but in most countries they don’t have a majority – and no vision for the future. They don't have anything convincing on offer."

Referring to defence against terrorism in Europe Mr Gauck said: "The decisive factor here will also be that we stick together in Europe. Now, especially, we can’t let anyone divide us.”